“In the field of decision analysis, the utility or value that a person assigns to a particular outcome is termed his "preference." Researchers have found that patients often construct their preferences on the spot when the doctor gives a diagnosis and recommends a treatment. Such patients are something of a "blank slate" upon which the doctor can "write" his or her own preference. In this setting, the patient is especially susceptible to how the physician frames the pros and cons both the treatment. (p57)” Decision MakingHealthcareMedicine Doctor Author:Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartband